My English Castle's Personal Finance Blog

I hesitate to even begin my litany of recent spending. It's been ugly, but mostly necessary.
While we were in MN Thanksgiving weekend my car window decided to come off the track. I kind of freaked out since I was merging onto the freeway when it happened, but I returned to my brother's house and we managed to at least get the window up to fend against the 18 degree cold. That was fixed with a new motor and lots of work to the tune of $600.
Next? Our scheduled three window installation. We expected that, but the additional $1200 left after the deposit was not the best timing.
Next? Our hot water heating in our family room went out. The tank leaked in the basement, drained the system, and knocked the whole thing out. Chock up another $1400.
Need more? The Tuesday before Thanksgiving the blasted dishwasher (always troublesome) started smoking and burning. A service call would be at least $200 according to the repair service, and then the wheels snapped off the bottom shelf too. It's only 10 years old, but we've had nothing but problems with it. I went out on Wednesday and bought a new one.

I think that's enough ugliness for now, but the university did manage to pay me. Except now it's all gone.

Another 10 days before the semester ends. Even all that spending, as wretched as it is, pales in comparison with the joy of my impending freedom.

Finally--I've listed two dozen things on ebay today. I'm afraid it might be a bad ebay week with everyone shopping on Black Friday, but I need to get this stuff moving out of here. If it doesn't sell, I'm going to freecycle it. The end.

Eager to get through two days of teaching and on to Thanksgiving. Lots to do!

Eeeks, it's been a long time since I've blogged. Teaching the dread overload of classes has meant nothing optional has been accomplished in months, and by optional I mean completely putting the summer sandals away, anything beyond minimal cleaning, no filing, planning, or adequate sleep.

But I'm finally feeling good about the semester, and I'll be caught up with grading over Thanksgiving. The study abroad meetings have also eaten a lot of time, but I won't complain about them.

Only one piece of bad news: the "expletive deleted" university STILL hasn't paid me for one class. Nothing. I've kicked up a fuss, told them it was illegal, enraged a half dozen people, and considered filing a grievance. Will they pay for for three months work in December? Grrr.

I'll try to be back more soon; I miss you guys!

DD and I abandoned other errands to go see President Obama today. The virtues of living in a swing state? I've never felt so desired in my life. It was a long day of waiting and listening to speeches--but I think it's great for a kid (and her mom) to see the President of the United States. We spent nothing on it, found free parking, then went to a friend's post-Halloween party.

Tomorrow to the errands--after a round of teaching Sunday School.

But that waning harvest moon is still beautiful here.

I'm looking forward to not going in to the university tomorrow. I've been so buried in work, I just want to stay home and grade in sweats--maybe cook some soup or get some housework done.

Not a lot new here, except a concerning spam e-mail. The night I booked my UK trip I got an e-mail that I figured was a confirmation from British Air. I never unzipped it, just figured it was the e-ticket as it said. Today I decided to get my travel file in order, but my virus check IDed it as having a virus. When I went to the BA website and entered the source locator, it couldn't find my reservation. So I went back to my original reservation and found a different source locator. I called BA who said it was not theirs, then quickly checked my credit card bill--but no unauthorized activity. It can't be a coincidence that virus-laden spam materialized the same time I booked?

I'm STILL fighting with the university about my overload payment. I've resigned myself to not having even a slim chance of it before December, but I'm continuing to pursue it, just on principle.

I really haven't meant to be so absent, but these busy days just fly by. So what's my news? I've figured out my London flat rental. I've paid my new landlady 1/3 of my rental. My traveling girlfriends want to go to Barcelona in February and have me meet them there. The university looks like it still won't pay me for one of my classes, and I'm in the midst of negotiating with them to get them to cough up the thousands they now owe me.
I've been spending too much to try to get things done. I need a couple quiet days (or weeks) to get things back to normal.

Thinking about patient saver, nika, and all you in the path of the storm.

We had a frantic morning. DD is really stressed about various classes at middle school and hasn't been sleeping well. She ended up with us in the middle of the night. So we got off to a slow morning, she missed the bus, and we were all tired.

I wonder sometimes about the projects assigned to 5th graders. She has a four-page paper due that must include all the literary elements assigned. Not only that, but the various elements must be printed in different color inks. Then she'll construct a weather vane over the weekend. Expect cold fusion next week.

But I got lots of errands done--new ID, software pick-up, library books returned, copies made for next week, etc. It's sometimes amazing what I can get done in an hour.

My concert date with a friend for tomorrow night fell through as it seems half the university is ill. So I think we'll all stay home, lay low, and if I feel ambitious, make a huge pot of soup and play Goldilocks with them.

I would enjoy a productive but quiet weekend. I heard a choir singing "Dona Nobis Pacem" on NPR, and I think we could use some peace.

I might be odd, but I love these dark rainy evenings. I've been cooking pots of soup, doing laundry, grading papers, and all sorts of home things.

Tonight's goals are simple: Complete tomorrow's quiz, grade another section of papers, read a capstone project, take two photos for ebay listings. I LOVE the idea of putting the ebay cash into my London fund.

I have great news: It looks almost certain my study abroad will run. I've got four or more over the baseline, but I won't know for sure until October 16th. That said, we've mailed out acceptance e-mails, and are just waiting for confirmations.

I have more good news: It looks like the university is paying my airfare. I had been planning on using miles, and had been juggling them to get DH and DD there in March, but I can take that concern off my plate.

Want more? I thinking of subletting a small flat in central London instead of staying in the scholar's residence. I'd have to find something else when DD and DH came, and I've found a fellow professor at my university who has a flat available. It's more than I was planning on paying, but I'll admit, I've fallen in love with it. I've managed to rationalize it by saying that we're not having our usual English vacation this year, and blah blah blah. I just want it. Maybe I just want to play house there.

So--to make myself feel slightly less selfish, I'm rounding up more of DD's clothes for sale, selling books, making massive lists of medical reimbursements to file, etc. Besides--wouldn't you all be thrilled to read my blog from my London flat? Then my blog name would be true!

One month into the school year, I am making October 1 resolutions. I need more sleep, more walking, and a better schedule.

I have been successful on a couple of fronts. I listed a few things on ebay over the weekend, and both have bids. I got DD to bed earlier tonight and have drawn up a nightly schedule to make our household run more smoothly. I'm ready for tomorrow's classes.

We also had lots of fun at dinner last night, and DD and I had a beautiful afternoon with my ufriends at the pumpkin farm today. Splendid weather all weekend. Long may it last.

DH and I started brainstorming a preliminary plan for the upcoming semester. Tuesday is the deadline for my study abroad apps. Cross your fingers we have enough!

The payroll issues will not be resolved. The department chair says the university will NOT cut additional checks for folks, despite them being out over 1K each. He apologized: it's not his fault but I'm still really steamed and need to think of other things to get my mind on a more positive bent.
I just keep thinking how this would never happen in a real business. If you short someone money, you cut them another check. It's stupid. I can hardly wait to see how badly they screw up next month's check.

But onward. I need to photograph and list a bunch of stuff on ebay tomorrow. I have a dental appointment and a pile of grading, and a birthday present to buy.
I'd like to find a little fun in this grind of a week. Hmmm- what to do....?

That title about sums up yet another delightful day at the university. It appears we have another repeat of last year's payroll debacle. None of our instructors who are teaching overloads are getting paid for them until at least November. My colleagues who have rearranged their lives to slog through five classes have just found that their October paychecks are at least 20% short. And the health insurance deductions are also wrong for many of us. One of my colleagues has been double charged; mine is some odd $116 more than it should be.

Let's just saying tempers are running high. I'm eagerly awaiting the response to my e-mail to the department chair. Not happy. Not happy at all.

It's getting late here, I've been grading for two hours, and I think I still have two hours of work ahead of me. I will be overjoyed when my evening class ends in three weeks; Tuesdays are such a slog.

I have lots more to blog about, but think I'd better get to work. It'll just have to wait until Friday...

Looks like a big chunk of the day will be spent on Saturday errands--library, emissions test, groceries, and my fav--Target.

I've been trying to do errands during the week, but it's not working so well. We've decided to spring for three more windows before the spring, but stopping there for now. DD's windows are cracked and leak a lot, but we're not much ready to go further. We've been talking about bumping the kitchen wall out a bit, and need to think that through before we do the back side of the house.

Lots of grading still awaits. Ugh

It's about 10 days until the Study Abroad application deadline. I've got over twice as many as we need to make it happen, so I'm feeling confident about it now.
There's a lot of work involved--answering lots of questions, sending out lots of e-mails, reminding students about recommendations and passports etc. I really like the students who are hyper-excited--and the ones who are shy and quiet, but just bursting inside. It's been fun.

DH hung our new super insulated blinds last night. He really has issues (the sweet one) with finishing things. I think it's some kind of disorder. As we were unpacking them, I said to myself, "He'll hang two, but not the third." Sure enough, he got through two and said he thought he was done for the evening. It was 8! Through lots of talking (while I was supervising DD's math), I got him to hang the final one. It's odd behavior; I have a touch of it myself, but can't really explain it.

Not much money news. Looks like I have to switch the autobilling from our old ATT to U-verse, so better get going on that.

It's been another rushing week here. DH isn't sleeping right and we've all been struggling again with the early mornings.

It's also been a strange week at school. My four-person class has dwindled further to three, and Monday night, another person was out. And then there were two. It doesn't much make for a fruitful discussion, does it? We got pizza and watched a very good DVD on Harriet Jacobs, one of the first women slaves to write a slave narrative. It actually was a nice evening after teaching all day Monday. Since DD had to come to the university with me on Monday, she got to have a lovely lunch away with her dad. We were watching "Glengarry Glen Ross" in my Business Lit class and that isn't exactly appropriate for young-uns.

Yesterday I held another info session for my Study Abroad types. We only had about another 12 turn up, but I've got 17 who have started the application process. I hope many end up coming.

Today was another busy one--classes, then home to stir up a casserole (not my favorite) for a after-school tutoring session our church puts on. I also made a cake for the kids, and then spent another couple hours helping DD with her upcoming speech.

I really feel like I'm always running--and will be happy when my evening class ends in another month.
The overload schedule coupled with the Study Abroad obligations have stretched me. I really need a few days off to catch up.

Hmmm- financial news? None to speak of. I have a lot of financial issues on the "to -do" list, but it might be a while!

I can't say I had a fabulously fun day today, but man, I got a lot done. I'm all prepped for the week, papers almost all graded, and even some laundry done.

It was a beautiful day here, so when DD went to a friend's house to play, I sat on the patio and read in the autumnal sunshine. It doesn't get much better.

This evening we grilled steaks, watched Wallendar, and I read a couple capstone projects; one passed, but one failed.

Being caught up will make tomorrow easier. It's my long day--and our school district has Jewish New Year off tomorrow, so DD has to spend the day at the university with me.

In some financial news--DD has decided to play the flute in the school band. As we were on the verge of heading toward the music store, we heard from friends that their daughter had given up flute, and asked if we'd like hers. Wow! Flute rental was $20+/month, so I'm pleased as heck. They were given it on the condition that they give it away when their daughter was done--so on it goes!

I went out for my birthday with my university women last night. It's strange to admit, but my DH, wonderful as he is, just stinks at planning celebrations. Even with hints and help, he fails miserably at it. The past couple years, I've decided rather than being cranky and disappointed with his meager attempts, I'd take charge of my own fun.

We had a riotous time. There were six of us--and we went to a Cali-Mexi Taco place--only a few years old--and right on the river. It was nice enough to sit outside, we drank fabulous margaritas, ate Korean beef tacos and other delights, and laughed until my sides ached. Someone down the river started lighting Japanese lanterns, and it was so beautiful. I haven't been out that late or had that much fun in ages.

I decided to treat them out of some of the proceeds of mom's house, but even with all that food and those pitchers of margs, it was barely $100. Terrific--a birthday to remember. One of them called it an "epic evening" and I agree.

The Study Abroad Fair was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. The organizing agency sent out a rep, and we hit it off right away--two old English majors making
Hemingway and typewriter jokes. She was fabulous, had a good patter for approaching students, and made the day go very quickly.

Indeed, we had more interest and many more students than I expected. Our next session in this coming Tuesday, so I feel like I'm juggling this obligation with my teaching overload, so am up late grading tonight in a messy house with lots of laundry.

They brought us lunch, but I parked in the campus pay lot because it was raining. Still--a very productive day.

I'm scheduled to spend all day tomorrow at the Study Abroad Fair. I think it will be fun. It's right in our Student Union, and I hope to have a lot of traffic for my booth. I'm supposed to decorate it, and I hauled bunting and flags (half price at Tesco after the Queen's Jubilee) home from England. I also have the laptop set up to show slides and the sights, and will have a list for folks who are interested, Cadbury and Walker's Shortbread as well.

The Center for Intl Ed is providing lunch, but since it looks like it'll rain tomorrow, I'll arrive early and park in the Union rather than my 1/2 mile walk.


After a loooong day, we spent two hours walking our DD's middle-school classes. I may go to bed now!

That's about all I can say about these weeks. It's only Tuesday night, and I'm wiped out. Yesterday was a marathon day--four regular classes from 8-2, then my evening class from 5:30-10. That's the odd small class with four students, but (do the math) 3/4 of them don't have their textbook here during Week 3 of class. You can guess how well they're doing.

I spent most of my office hours today scanning in a story for another class, then distributing flyers for the study abroad. I'd like to get as many signed up as possible, and the October 1 deadline looms.

I wish I could say tomorrow will be easier, but again, I have four classes, no time for lunch, and a two-hour middle school PTO session tomorrow night.

Now that I'm done whining, I did sell a book today, and I got it mailed. I've fallen into the habit of stopping at the grocery store on my way home a couple times a week. I've never shopped like that before; I'm usually a once-a-week shopper, but this seems easier with my time-crunched schedule. The budget hasn't shown any ill effects yet. And because it's 2:30 or 3 when I shop, it's not busy. I may stick with this as long as it works.

Two last student e-mails to deal with---

We spent some time yesterday trying to brainstorm what our next goals are. More contributions to the retirement plans certainly, more to DD's 529 plan. We have no major decisions made at all.

We've been living on a moderately tight budget for a long time. Except for travel, we're pretty frugal.
There are things we need to do for our home; I've ordered new blinds for the family room, we bought some fairly inexpensive curtains for the living room, and I spent an exciting afternoon yesterday at the commercial laundromat washing comforters and bedspreads.

I'm calling painters tomorrow for bids on the house trim, and DH is taking my 25+-year-old Swedish wool rugs to be cleaned and rebound. We always have post-summer spending to do, so none of this is too much out of the ordinary. We're postponing the rest of the windows until next year at the earliest too.

So what else do we need to do? We need to figure out what to do with the rest of the cash from the house sale. It's sitting in savings right now, and I need to investigate other places for it.

So, post-mortgage life goes on. The dishwasher stubbornly refused to drain last night, and after church today, we very unsystematically monkeyed around with it--using the wet-dry vac to try to extract the clog. We took apart the air vent, unhooked the pipes, and somehow now, everything works. I think we saved ourselves a $100 service call. I hung clothes out to dry, and with DD at a friend's house for the afternoon, will work on lesson plans for the week.

But I'm thinking, thinking, thinking....

Well folks, we're now officially debt free. We went to the credit union this morning and paid off the mortgage.

We were a bit giddy, and would have been a little disappointed if the teller hadn't shared our excitement. Turns out it was her first mortgage payoff--and she complimented us--saying how especially nice it was that "young folks like us" had their mortgage paid off. I think she misjudged our ages by half a decade at least.

I am grateful to my parents for being such careful stewards of their money and property. They both were Depression-reared and came from nothing. Both were raised by their moms alone--my dad's father dead from pneumonia at 37, and my mom's father left during the depression. But my mother particularly had a way with a dollar--stretching it beyond any of my poor powers.

The teller recommended a mortgage-burning party, but so many of our friends are so broke, it seems boastful. Instead I think we'll have a nice party without mentioning the event to them.

I guess I'd better update my sidebar!

That's how I describe how I felt yesterday. I taught four classes back to back from 8-2. DD is still very excited about middle school, but the days suddenly seem SO full. I got some things done during this morning's office hours, and am looking forward to being home alone tomorrow to tackle more things.

In more exciting news, we may use my day off tomorrow to go pay off our mortgage. We talked about waiting until the end of the month, but heck, why not just do it now?

I'll keep y'all posted.

All told, both DD and I had successful first days back at school. I only had a single class today, so it was a fast one for me.

DD's bus didn't show up until after we left to take her to school. We didn't want to risk lateness on the first day, but I spoke to the bus driver this afternoon, and she assured me they'd be more on schedule tomorrow.

I did a few errands after my class. I purchased a paper attendance book since the university doesn't provide them anymore, deposited some checks, and returned a few library books.

I suspect I'll be wiped out tomorrow with four classes back to back from 8-2. If I can make it to the restroom, grab some water, and down some string cheese, I'll call it successful.

I spent $13 on school supplies, and $1.75 on coffee. No other news to report!

I feel like we should have done something spectacular this weekend--especially today--but we spent the morning deep cleaning our bedroom. We took the bed apart, vacuumed underneath the bed, behind the bed, behind the dressers etc. Everything in there got washed, then we moved onto DD's room.

Is this a sign of age that rather than whooping it up over the holiday weekend, we clean? Probably.

I did some minor grocery shopping, we grilled steaks, and got every one all spruced up to begin the school year. This will be almost an hour earlier rising for DD. I hope she doesn't crash tomorrow on the first day of middle school! I hope I don't either, but I only have one class tomorrow. Mondays and Wednesday are the heavy days with four classes back to back.

I hope to get a walk in before heading to the university. I've been such a slacker this summer, my good habits need to kick in.

We went to the local "Parade of Homes" for the second year in a row. Some of them were outrageously stupidly big--like the builders didn't know what to do with all that room. We both liked the smaller ones better, but came home appreciating our house more. I think we mostly went to look at tile work, but saw some very pretty patios that we might emulate in the future.

What's with all sorts of new homes not having baths in the master suite? The showers are so big you could have a baseball team in them, but I would want a nice long luxurious English-length bath tub if I owned that type of house.

Some of the houses were so over the top, it was fascinating to watch peoples' reactions. Huge bars in the basement with (eek!) three refrigerators and a dishwasher in the bar area. One had a caged-off wine cellar. We fell in with some irreverent types who kept critiquing the wacky stuff. I'm not sure a pub style bar area should be raised two steps off the floor. Everyone who looked at it predicted lawsuits and head injuries.

DH put up the living room curtain rod when we got home, and we decided we like our 50+ year old suburb with the beautiful trees and manageable sized houses.

One of my university colleagues had a b-day party for her daughter so we spent a lovely evening there.

I was bringing insalta caprese and on our way to the farmer's market, a neighbor stopped us to tell us our car tire was flat. This is the same tire we had fixed a week ago, so we got it fixed again--and DH will go back to the original mechanic for a refund, I think.

We also bought a new curtain rod and some panels at Pier One, shopped for blinds and a grill but bought nothing else. Reviewing the day--it was a bit spendy. I spent some on internet shopping for DD and me--but all very good bargains with clearance and coupons. Gotta love kid's jeans for $7.99

I have that winsome end-of-summer feeling. We came home to coffee on the patio and wished summer would go on.

The child and I spent our last real day of summer vacation at that traditional summer funhouse, the outlet mall. We went out to lunch, bought shoes for her, a few too many clothes for me, jeans and pjs and tops for her, a vest and some chinos for DH. It was swell. I bought nothing very extravagant, used outlet coupons, and feel no guilt whatsoever.

Tomorrow is full of errands, meetings, tutoring, copying, and then the Common Read. I really need a day to myself to get things up and moving, but that will happen very soon.

Still no word from the bank about clearing the check from my bro. I was really hoping we could get 'er done Friday, but it looks unlikely.

We drove to Minnesota over the weekend, visited the attorney, and sold my parents' lake home to my brother and his wife. We spent the weekend there, and I think I've worked through my issues with selling it.

I don't really want to own it, but it holds so many memories that I'm happy he has it. There's so much upkeep on a lake property, and he has the time and inclination to do it. They have their boats there, and we had a great time eating, drinking, playing cards, and tootling around the lake with them.

I deposited the personal check from him in the bank yesterday and am waiting for the bank to clear it. I have the feeling they won't clear it before September 1, so I'll end up paying my September mortgage payment. I asked the manager to see if they could clear that amount by Friday, and he said he'd call, but nothing yet.

In less lucrative news, I started a new class last night with only four students. I've never taught a class that small, but I have taught that Women and Literature class six or seven times, so it should be ok.

I also attended a seminar for our Common Reading Experience program at the university. They're reading Persepolis, a graphic novel about growing up in Iran during the Islamic revolution. I'm enjoying it a lot, and I do hope my incoming freshman do too.

Lots of meetings this week and lots of back-to-school shopping for DD. Again, a big thanks to all of you for helping me through the house selling quandry.